FUTA Alumnus Expands Entrepreneurship Initiative, Awards ₦100,000 Grants to Five Indigent Students

Five students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have received entrepreneurship grants under the expanded Grace Trust Fund Entrepreneurship Project of the Ajiro Omas Foundation, an initiative established to support indigent but enterprising students.

The beneficiaries are Peace Oluwatosin, Adewale David Adeola, Folorunso Victoria, Orogbangba Mary, and Akinyemi Blessing, drawn from different departments of the university.

The Ajiro Omas Foundation, founded by Mr. Ajiro Omas, an alumnus of FUTA's Department of Chemistry, has steadily expanded the initiative since its launch in 2023. The foundation supported two students in its maiden edition, increased the number to four the following year, and has now sustained annual support for five students, including the 2026 beneficiaries.

Each recipient received a grant of ₦100,000 to strengthen and expand their entrepreneurial ventures, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to promoting enterprise development among students.

Speaking through the Project Coordinator, Mr. John Ogundijo, Mr. Omas said the initiative was built on the belief that education is the foundation of lifelong success and that no student should be denied the opportunity to fulfil their potential because of financial constraints.

He explained that the foundation seeks to inspire students regardless of their socio-economic background by providing scholarships, youth coaching, mentorship programmes, and personal development resources aimed at nurturing character and preparing the next generation of leaders, role models, and change agents.

According to him, the foundation believes every student can succeed with the right guidance, encouragement, and opportunities. He noted that the Grace Trust Fund Entrepreneurship Project complements academic learning by promoting entrepreneurship alongside physical, emotional, and social development while preparing beneficiaries for lifelong learning, critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and practical application of knowledge.

Mr. Omas added that the initiative is designed to instil a strong sense of responsibility toward self, community, and the environment. He stressed that the success of the foundation's programmes depends on the collective efforts of students, teachers, parents, and society in unlocking the potential of young people and transforming lives.

In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Mr. John Ogundijo, said financial limitations should never be viewed as barriers to acquiring skills or achieving personal development. He commended the beneficiaries for their resilience and entrepreneurial drive and urged them to remain disciplined and prudent in managing the grants.

He encouraged the students to use the funds judiciously to strengthen their businesses and move towards self-reliance. Reaffirming the foundation's vision, he said, "Together we can make a huge difference. We can bring out the best from the least by giving the best to the least."

The Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended the Ajiro Omas Foundation for its sustained investment in empowering indigent but enterprising students through entrepreneurship.

Represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Professor Sunday Oluyamo, the Vice-Chancellor described the initiative as a valuable complement to the university's commitment to producing graduates who are academically excellent, innovative, entrepreneurial, and self-reliant.

Professor Oladiji noted that the programme's growth—from supporting two students at its inception in 2023 to empowering five students annually—demonstrates the foundation's unwavering commitment to investing in the future of young people.

She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to utilise the ₦100,000 grants as seed capital for viable business ventures capable of improving their livelihoods and contributing positively to society.

The Vice-Chancellor also called on other alumni and public-spirited individuals to emulate Mr. Ajiro Omas by partnering with the university to create more opportunities for indigent students. She noted that such collaborations would strengthen FUTA's entrepreneurship drive, promote innovation, and contribute to national development by producing graduates equipped to create jobs and address societal challenges.